presentation of jesus in temple

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

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"Sanctifying one's work is no fantastic dream, but the mission of every Christian - yours and mine.” Saint Josemaría

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Life of Mary (VIII): Jesus' Presentation in the Temple

February 2nd is the feast of the Presentation. Mary offers her Son to God and learns that she too will share closely in Jesus' redemptive mission.

The gathering of pilgrims in Bethlehem has ended. After Christ's birth, Joseph found a more worthy place to house the Holy Family. There, after eight days, he carried out the rite of circumcision by which the male children begin to form part of the people of Israel. And the child officially received the name Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb ( Lk 2:21). Forty days later, Mary and Joseph took the Child with them to Jerusalem, when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses…to present him to the Lord as it is written in the law of the Lord…and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons" ( Lk 2:22-25).

Neither Jesus nor Mary was obliged to follow these prescriptions. Mary had not contracted any legal impurity for she had conceived and given birth in a virginal way. Nor did the law affecting the redeeming of the first-born apply to Jesus, the true Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. And yet, three times in just a few verses, special mention is made of the fact that everything was done in strict observance of the Law of God.

The Church discovers a deeper meaning in this episode. In first place, the fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi: The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight ( Mal 3:1) Besides, Mary understood that Jesus had to be brought to the Temple, not to be redeemed like other first-born children, but to be offered to God as a true sacrifice. As the Letter to the Hebrews says: When Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifices and offerings you did not desire, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not take pleasure. Then I said: 'Lo, I have come to do your will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book" ( Heb 10:5-7). To some extent, Jesus' Presentation in the Temple can be linked with the Offering of the Sacrifice of Calvary that the Mass makes present in all times and places. In the preparation of this sacrifice, as later in its accomplishment on the summit of Golgatha, a special place was reserved for the Mother of Jesus. From the very first moments of his earthly life, Jesus united Mary to the redeeming sacrifice that he had come to fulfill.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple can be linked with the Offering of the Sacrifice of Calvary that the Mass makes present in all times and places.

This sharing in the mystery of the Redemption was revealed little by little to the Virgin Mary. At the Annunciation the archangel had said nothing about this. But now it would be communicated through the words of Simeon, a just and God-fearing man far advanced in years: It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ ( Lk 2:26).

The encounter between our Lady and Simeon would have taken place in front of the Gate of Nicanor that led into the court of the Jews. That was the place where one of the priests received the women who came to offer the sacrifice for themselves and their children. Mary, accompanied by Joseph, stood in the line. While our Lady waited her turn, something happened that caused the on-lookers to be amazed. An old man approached the line. His face was glowing with joy. When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" ( Lk 2:29-32).

The Messiah would fulfill his mission by suffering, and the Mother would be mysteriously associated with her Son's sorrows.

On hearing these words, Mary and Joseph were overcome with wonder, for Simeon confirmed what the angel had communicated from God. But immediately his other words cast a shadow over their joy: the Messiah would fulfill his mission by suffering, and the Mother would be mysteriously associated with her Son's sorrows. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed" ( Lk 2:34-35). Anna as well, a woman over 80 years old, joined in Simeon's announcement: coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem ( Lk 2:38).

From St. Luke's Gospel we know that our Lady presented the Child Jesus only after listening to the prophecy. She offered a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons , the offering of the poor, instead of the lamb prescribed by the Law of Moses. Nonetheless, in light of Simeon's words, she understood that Jesus was the true Lamb of God who would redeem men from their sins. And that she, as Mother, in a way she did not yet fully grasp, would be closely united to her Son's fate.

J. A. Loarte

• Saint Joseph
• Life of Mary
• Presentation

Printed | document generated automatically from https://opusdei.org/en/article/life-of-mary-viii-jesus-presentation-in-the-temple/ (07/11/2024)

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Why We Celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

“God enters the temple not as a powerful ruler but as a little child in his Mother’s arms. The King of glory comes not with a show of human force and power, not with a great fanfare and noise, not causing fright and destruction. He comes into the temple as he came into the world, as an infant in silence, in poverty, and in the company of the poor and the wise.” – Pope John Paul II

On February 2, we observe the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, honoring Jesus Christ’s presentation in the Temple when he was a young child.

Fulfillment of the Old Covenant

Jesus’ presentation in the Temple reflects how he fulfills the Old Covenant. According to Old Testament law, a sacrifice had to be offered in the Temple when a child was consecrated to the Lord. Mary and Joseph honor this tradition, as Luke 2:22-24 describes:

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Simeon, a devout and upright man, had been told by the Lord he would meet the Messiah before his death. When Jesus comes to the Temple, we see the fulfillment of this prophecy. Simeon and the prophetess Anna, acting – in the words of Pope John Paul II – as “representatives of the Old Covenant” – recognize Jesus’ Lordship as Messiah in this culmination of their watchful waiting. When Simeon receives Jesus, he blesses him, and prophesies Jesus’ future as Savior, proclaiming him the Light of the world:

[H]e took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:  “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” – Luke 2:28-32

Living a Consecrated Life

On this day, we also reflect on the gift of consecrated life. While the momentary satisfaction of selfish living ultimately leads to emptiness, living a life of holiness, dedicated to God’s service, will give true contentment and peace. As Pope Francis has expressed :   

Consecrated life is born and reborn of an encounter with Jesus as he is: poor, chaste and obedient… And while worldly life soon leaves our hands and hearts empty, life in Jesus fills us with peace to the very end, as in the Gospel, where Simeon and Anna come happily to the sunset of their lives with the Lord in their arms and joy in their hearts.

Depictions of the Presentation of the Lord in mosaic can be found in the West Apse of the Great Upper Church and in the Rosary Walk and Garden located outside the Basilica.

Butler’s Lives of Saints , ed. Bernard Bangley

3 Key Lessons from Jesus in the Temple

Jesus did more than just scare his mom and drive out cheapskates. He set the standard of having a burning faith in the Church. He set the example to fight for faith, injustice, and loving the lost. Here are three key lessons about faith from Jesus in the temple.

We have a saying around our house, “If mama ain’t happy, then nobody’s happy.” I often think of Jesus in the temple and think we need the same phrase, “ If Jesus ain’t happy…” Especially when Jesus walked the earth and cleansed the temple shortly before His death and resurrection.

Then there was the first time He challenged His parents and stayed behind in the city from His family who had left to travel home. Jesus was 12 and nowhere to be found in their caravan. He definitely gave His mother a heart attack, only to stun her when she found Him sitting among the elders as He simply stated, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

In today’s world, we are divided between doctrines, masks, vaccines, personal views, how the Church should be run, and of course, political parties. Everywhere you turn, individuals have strong opinions about the Church, faith, deconstruction of faith, and so much more. The very fabric of our faith is being torn, frayed, and unraveled. But…once the feelings settle, our minds clear, and then we get quiet; we feel His presence as we pray for Jesus to come for His people and heal this broken world. We sit in the quiet and reflect on His life.

His example reveals He was more than a man and He went against the grain of society. But it’s more than that. He taught us what faith looks like in action with a heart for God, the Church, and mankind. Jesus did more than just scare his mom and drive out cheapskates. He set the standard of having a burning faith in the Church. He set the example to fight for faith, injustice and loving the lost. Here are three key lessons about faith from Jesus in the temple.

Jesus' Example of Faith

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."  2 Corinthians 5:7

Those words seem simple enough. But what does it mean? In today’s world where there is more division than ever, I am learning that fleshing out these words is more complex. Yet, at its core, it’s simple. Faith means having tremendous confidence in God. It means courage and strength. It means unending grace. It also means standing up for what is pure, true, and right. It means believing the Bible is the key to nourishing our souls and the Church is a place to shine our light—not just outside its four walls but also within. Faith means you’re willing to look like a fool, willing to be misunderstood, abandoned, and become an outcast. It also means giving up any semblance of control over your life because you know the Author of your story is still writing it, knowing He knows the outcome. Why? Because at its core, faith is believing that “we walk by faith and not by sight.”

Jesus in the Temple Bible Story

"So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing from the Word of God." Romans 10:17

Matthew 21:12-17 and John 2:13-22 tell the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple. The two passages may have been two different instances of Jesus cleansing the Temple, but they teach similar principles. Jesus had come to be the bridge between humanity and God. Jesus came because He knew we needed a savior. Yet, the Law was standing in the way. At the time, those who wanted to be righteous knew they needed to be pardoned for their sins. The Law required a sacrifice in the form of birds, lambs, cows, and oxen. Those who went to the temple to honor the Lord and seek His pardon knew they needed to bring a blood sacrifice. This blood sacrifice meant passing their sins onto the animal. Thus, commercialism and exhorting the pour began ( Exodus 30:11-16 ; Leviticus 14:22 ; Luke 2:24 ).

When Jesus entered the Temple , He assumed He would see people praying for needs, pardons, and finding the purest way to honor God. Instead, He saw a marketplace as a stumbling block and gate blocking humanity’s need from God. He saw corrupt, abusive, ungodly men as moneychangers, sellers of merchandise, and how others made God’s house of prayer into an abusive and lucrative place to extort those in need. At the time Jewish law was under the rule of Romans which meant “half a shekel” of Jewish coin needed to be changed into Roman coin ( Exodus 30:11-16 ). It became a matter of convivence to have a place where Roman coins could be exchanged for Jewish coins. The moneychangers provided this convenience but would demand a fee for the money exchange. Because thousands would travel from all over for Passover and feasts, money changing became a profitable business that became a gate, blocking the oppressed and poor via fraud and exhortation.

Jesus’ first cleansing of the temple is described in John 2:11-12 as having occurred just after Jesus’ first miracle, the turning of water into wine at the wedding in Cana. The second cleansing of the temple occurred just after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the last week of His life. This second cleansing is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke but not in John. John 2:14-15 notes, "In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple.

But here is the twist in the story, this wasn’t the only time Jesus was found in the temple. In Luke 2:41-52 , Jesus purposely stayed behind to be in His Father’s House. “Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old , they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed their days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.”

Key Lessons from Jesus in the Temple

What is it about this about finding Jesus in the temple which is of such significance? First, Jesus was already well aware of His identity and Mission. He was comfortable in His Father's House, the temple, and His teaching was already compelling. Even to the teachers in the temple at the mere age of twelve. Later, when he drove out the money changers, He was obliterating all obstacles to God. Here are the 3 lessons we can learn.

1. Jesus Was Intent on Purifying the Church

Compared to the priests and Pharisees , Jesus was bent on purifying the church.

John 2:14-16 tells us,

"And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!""

Compared to today’s churches that are focused on growth and becoming mega-churches, Jesus cared more about why people were attending instead of how many people attended. He cared more about who was coming to the Temple instead of how many people were coming. Jesus said His house was to be a House of prayer. He wanted His people to come with the focus of connecting with God and praying to God.

2. Nothing Is More Important Than the Kingdom of God

What is the real Kingdom of God? We are. When Jesus took our place on the cross, He became the bridge between us and God’s Kingdom. God resides within each of our hearts and someday God’s kingdom will come after He transforms the world with a new heaven and a new earth. When religious leaders asked when God’s Kingdom would be established (thinking God would wipe out the Romans who were ruling over them at the time). In Luke 17:20-21 Jesus “answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, “See here!” or “See there!” For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.’” Jesus declared in Matthew 6:33 , “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Instead of running after what we think we need or want, we should be pursuing God’s Kingdom, because God will take care of our wants and needs.

3. People Are More Valuable Than Money

Jesus demonstrated that people were more important and precious than profits. His righteous anger revealed His heart for His people. Jesus went on to tell the disciple the second greatest commandment as well: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” ( Matthew 22:39 ). The truth is we are lovers of ourselves when Jesus taught that we are to love our neighbors as much as ourselves. Jesus takes loving others even further in Luke 6:27 : “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” That’s right; according to the Son of God , we’re supposed to even love our enemies!

When we apply these lessons to our lives, we can further God’s Kingdom and extend His invitation to others. We can in turn be a living Temple that shines a light in this dark world. We have the opportunity to shine His light while there is still time. In turn, our lives will be filled with His abundance of joy.

Was Jesus Justified in Overturning the Tables?

What is godly anger.

“We all have things that irritate us, and we display our anger in different ways. Yet research has proven that it is not good to be angry. One study found that bad-tempered people are three times more likely to have heart attacks. And a 2006 Harvard study revealed that 10 million men in the U.S. are so angry, they are sick. In fact, their disease has a name: Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED). Having said all that, not all anger is bad. The Bible records a time when Jesus Christ , God incarnate, was angry. Very angry. After making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem with crowds cheering and palm branches waving, Jesus "went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, ‘It is written, "My house is a house of prayer," but you have made it a "den of thieves" ' " ( Luke 19:45-46 ). Was Jesus having a temper tantrum? Hardly. It was righteous indignation. He went into the temple. He took stock of the situation. And He overturned tables. Why such a display of anger? Because the people engaged in temple commerce were keeping others from God. They had a little racket going in which they found fault with the sacrificial animals the people brought in and then sold them an "approved" animal at an inflated price. And this made Jesus angry. God is angry when people stand in the way of sinners coming to know Him. God doesn't like it when we get in the way, and it happens all too often in the church. But the church is not supposed to be a museum for saints; it is supposed to be a hospital for sinners—a place for people to know God.”

- Taken from " When Jesus Got Angry " written by Greg Laurie, distributed by Harvest Ministries (used by permission).

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/wynnter

Learn more about the meaning and significance behind the Easter holiday and Holy Week celebrations:

What is Lent? and When Does Lent Start? What is Ash Wednesday? and When is Ash Wednesday? What is Palm Sunday? What is Maundy Thursday? What is Good Friday? and When is Good Friday? What is Holy Saturday?

What is Easter? and When is Easter Sunday? Easter Bible Verses The Resurrection of Jesus  Easter Prayers

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While it is important to understand current events and how they will affect our lives, remember who has the ultimate authority over your life. Be sure to start each day in Scripture and prayer.

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The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

The law of God, given by Moses to the Jews, to insinuate both to us and to them, that by the sin of Adam man is conceived and born in sin, and obnoxious to his wrath, ordained that a woman, after childbirth, should continue for a certain time in a state which that law calls unclean; during which she was not to appear in public, nor presume to touch any thing consecrated to God. This term was of forty days upon the birth of a son, and the time was double for a daughter: on the expiration of which, the mother was to bring to the door of the tabernacle, or temple, a lamb of a year old. and a young pigeon or turtle-dove. The lamb was for a holocaust, or burnt-offering, in acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God, and in thanksgiving for her own happy delivery; the pigeon or turtle-dove was for a sin-offering. These being sacrificed to Almighty God by the priest, the woman was cleansed of the legal impurity, and reinstated in her former privileges.

A young pigeon, or turtle-dove, by way of a sin-offering, was required of all, whether rich or poor: but whereas the charge of a lamb might be too burdensome on persons of narrow circumstances, in that case, nothing more was required, then two pigeons, or two turtle-doves, one for a burnt, the other for a sin-offering.

Our Saviour having been conceived by the Holy Ghost, and his blessed Mother remaining always a spotless virgin, it is most evident from the terms of the law, that she was, in reality, under no obligation to it, nor within the intent of it. She was, however, within the letter of the law, in the eye of the world, who were as yet strangers to her miraculous conception. And her humility making her perfectly resigned, and even desirous to conceal her privilege and dignity, she submitted with great punctuality and exactness to every humbling circumstance which the law required. Pride indeed proclaims its own advantages, and seeks honors not its due; but the humble find their delight in obscurity and abasement, they shun all distinction and esteem which they clearly see their own nothingness and baseness to be most unworthy of: they give all glory to God alone, to whom it is due. Devotion also and zeal to honor God by every observance prescribed by his law, prompted Mary to perform this act of religion, though evidently exempt from the precept. Being poor herself; she made the offering appointed for the poor: accordingly is this part of the law mentioned by St. Luke, as best agreeing with the meanness of her worldly condition. But her offering, however mean in itself, was made with a perfect heart, which is what God chiefly regards in all that is offered to him. The King of Glory would appear everywhere in the robes of poverty, to point out to us the advantages of a suffering and lowly state, and to repress our pride, by which, though really poor and mean in the eyes of God, we covet to appear rich, and, though sinners, would be deemed innocents and saints.

A second great mystery is honored this day, regarding more immediately the person of our Redeemer, viz. his presentation in the temple. Besides the law which obliged the mother to purify herself, there was another which ordered that the first-born son should be offered to God: and in these two laws were included several others, as, that the child, after its presentation, should be ransomed with a certain sum of money, and peculiar sacrifices offered on the occasion.

Mary complies exactly with all these ordinances. She obeys not only in the essential points of the law, as in presenting herself to be purified, and in her offering her first-born, but has strict regard to all the circumstances. She remains forty days at home, she denies herself all this time the liberty of. entering the temple, she partakes not of things sacred, though the living temple of the God of Israel; and on the day of her purification, she walks several miles to Jerusalem, with the world's Redeemer in her arms. She waits for the priest at the gate of the temple, makes her offerings of thanksgiving and expiation, presents her divine Son by the hands of the priest to his eternal Father, with the most profound humility, adoration, and thanksgiving. She then redeems him with five shekels, as the law appoints, and receives him back again as a depositum in her special care, till the Father shall again demand him for the full accomplishment of man's redemption. It is clear that Christ was not comprehended in the law; "The king's son, to whom the inheritance of the crown belongs, is exempt from servitude:- much more Christ, who was the Redeemer both of our souls and bodies, was not subject to any law by which he was to be himself redeemed," as St. Hilary observes. But he would set an example of humility, obedience, and devotion: and would renew, in a solemn and public manner, and in the temple, the oblation of himself to his Father for the accomplishment of his will, and the redemption of man, which he had made privately in the first moment of his Incarnation. With what sentiments did the divine Infant offer himself to his Father at the same time! the greatest homage of his honour and glory the Father could receive, and a sacrifice of satisfaction adequate to the injuries done to the Godhead by our sins, and sufficient to ransom our souls from everlasting death! With what cheerfulness and charity did he offer himself to all his torments! to be whipped, crowned with thorns, and ignominiously put to death for us!

Let every Christian learn hence to offer himself to God with this divine victim, through which he may be accepted by the Father; let him devote himself with all his senses and faculties to his service. If sloth, or any other vice, has made us neglectful of this essential duty, we must bewail past omissions, and make a solemn and serious consecration of ourselves this day to the divine majesty with the greater fervor, crying out with St. Austin, in compunction of heart: "Too late have I known thee, too late have I begun to love thee, O beauty more ancient than the world!" But our sacrifice, if we desire it may be accepted, must not be lame and imperfect. It would be an insult to offer to God, in union with his Christ, a divided heart, or a heart infected with wilful sin. It must therefore first be cleansed by tears of sincere compunction: its affections must be crucified to the world by perfect mortification. Our offering must be sincere and fervent, without reserve, allowing no quarter to any of our vicious passions and inclinations, and no division in any of our affections. It must also be universal; to suffer and to do all for the divine honor. If we give our hearts to Christ in this manner, we shall receive him with his graces and benedictions. He would be presented in the temple by the hands of his mother: let us accordingly make the offering of our souls through Mary and beg his graces through the same channel.

The ceremony of this day was closed by a third mystery, the. meeting in the temple of the holy persons, Simeon and Anne, with Jesus and his parents, from which this festival was anciently called by the Greeks Hypante, the meeting. Holy Simeon, on that occasion, received into his arms the object of all his desires and sighs, and praised God in raptures of devotion for being blessed with the happiness of beholding the so much longed-for Messias. He foretold to Mary her martyrdom of sorrow; and that Jesus brought redemption to those who would accept of it on the terms it was offered them; but a heavy judgment on all infidels who should obstinately reject it, and on Christians also whose lives were a contradiction to his holy maxims and example. Mary, hearing this terrible prediction, did not answer one word, felt no agitation of mind from the present, no dread for the future; but courageously and sweetly committed all to God's holy will. Anne also, the prophetess, who, in her widowhood, served God with great fervor, had the happiness to acknowledge and adore in this great mystery the world's Redeemer. Amidst the crowd of priests and people, the Saviour of the world is known only by Simeon and Anne. Even when he disputed with the doctors, and when he wrought the most stupendous miracles, the learned, the wise, and the princes did not know him. Yet here, while a weak, speechless child, carried in the arms of his poor mother, he is acknowledged and adored by Simeon and Anne. He could not hide himself from those who sought him with fervor, humility, and ardent love. Unless we seek him in these dispositions, he will not manifest himself, nor communicate his graces to us. Simeon, having beheld his Saviour in the flesh, desired no longer to see the light of this world, nor any creatures on earth If we truly love God, our distance from him must be a continual pain: and we must sigh after that desired moment which will free us from the danger of ever losing him by sin, and will put us in possession of Him who is the joy of the blessed, and the infinite treasure of heaven. Let us never cease to pray that he purify our hearts from all earthly dross, and draw them to himself: that he heal, satiate, and inflame our souls, as he only came upon earth to kindle in all hearts the fire of his love.

The Episcopal Church

Welcomes You

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Presentation of our lord jesus christ in the temple, the.

A feast of our Lord celebrated on Feb. 2, also known as Candlemas and the Feast of the Purification. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem Temple forty days after Jesus' birth, in accordance with the requirements of Jewish law (Lv 12:2-8). The feast is celebrated about forty days after Christmas. According to the account of Lk 2:22-39, the presentation of Jesus was also the occasion of the meeting of Jesus with Simeon and Anna. Simeon's prayer of blessing is the basis for the canticle Nunc dimittis (see BCP, p. 120). Celebration of the feast dates from the fourth century in Jerusalem. It was introduced in Rome in the seventh century, where it included a procession with candles and the singing of the Nunc dimittis. The celebration came to include the lighting and blessing of candles which were carried in procession. This feast was known as “Candlemas.” See Nunc dimittis.

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “ An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians ,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE GENERAL CHAPTERS OF: SOCIETY OF DIVINE VOCATIONS (VOCATIONIST FATHERS), SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION OF MARY MOST HOLY IN THE TEMPLE, SISTERS OF THE SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS, DOMINICAN MISSIONARY SISTERS OF ST. SIXTUS

Clementine Hall Monday, 12 August 2024

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Four Chapters! Four Chapters together... we can see that the Prefect knows how to save time by putting them together!  This is the time for Chapters...

I offer a warm greeting to the men and women Superiors and to all present. I am pleased to meet you: Dominican Missionary Sisters of Saint Sixtus, Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – who was your founder? Maddalena Sofia Barat: a great woman! – Sisters of the Presentation of Mary Most Holy in the Temple and the Society of Divine Vocations (Vocationist Fathers).

During a Chapter, you always have the grace and the responsibility of experiencing a significant moment not only for the life of your Institutes, but also for the whole Church. Chapters are a time for listening to the Holy Spirit in order to enable the charisms granted to your Founders and Foundresses to continue to flourish. So let us pause for a moment to reflect together on three existential and apostolic aspects that you all have in common: discernment , formation and charity .

First, discernment . While this is the “proper matter” of the charism of the Vocationist Fathers, obviously, in a broader sense it concerns every religious Congregation and each of its members. Discernment is part of life, whether at momentous times involving major decisions or in our daily decisions about small, routine matters. It is linked to our freedom and so it daily expresses and perfects not only our common human vocation but also the special and unique identity of each individual. Discernment is certainly demanding. It calls for listening to the Lord, to ourselves and to others. It demands time for prayer, reflection, patient expectation and, ultimately, courage and sacrifice, in order to enable us to determine and put into practice what God, without imposing his will on us, suggests to our hearts. God never imposes his will on us. We should think, reflect and feel the emotions that touch our hearts. 

At the same time, discernment is also a source of great happiness, because “making a good decision, a right decision” brings us much joy (cf. General Audience , 31 August 2022). Our world sorely needs to rediscover the delight and beauty of decision-making, especially those involving definitive choices about a turning point in our lives, like a religious vocation. Such decisions call for fathers and mothers who are able to help young people in particular to realize that being free does not mean standing forever at a crossroads, making little “detours” to the right and left, without ever really setting out on a path. Being free means risking to embark on a particular path, with wisdom and prudence of course, but also with boldness and a spirit of renunciation, in order to grow and advance in self-giving, and thus to find happiness in loving others in accordance with God’s plan.

This brings us to our second point: formation . Formation is also a trait that in different ways you all share, primarily because religious life is essentially a path of growth in holiness that embraces the whole of existence, a path on which the Lord constantly shapes the hearts of those he has chosen. In this regard, I encourage all of you to persevere in prayer, for prayer is a relationship with the Lord, a personal listening and waiting; a personal and communal prayer. I also encourage you in the sacramental life, and also, allow me to say, in a life of adoration, for today we have lost the sense of adoration and we need to recover it. Adoration! Cultivate too all those moments that daily enliven the relationship of a consecrated woman or man with Christ.

Indeed, only those who are humble enough to realize that they are constantly “in formation” can hope to become good “formators” of others. Education, at whatever level, is always, first and foremost, a sharing of paths and experiences in that joyful search for truth which “expresses the restlessness of the human heart until it encounters and dwells within God’s light” ( Veritatis Gaudium , 1). And please remember the importance of a restless heart. Not “my heart is at rest”! It is one thing to be at peace, and another thing to be restless. We must be at peace, but also restless. Your mission at present is necessarily prophetic, carried out in the midst of a society and culture immersed in information but, by contrast, tragically impoverished in human relationships. In our day and age, it is urgent to have educators who know how to become, with wisdom and affection, companions of those entrusted to their care.

And now to our third point: charity . All four of your foundations were established to support and educate impoverished young people who, without necessary help, would not have been able to receive a suitable education or even respond to their calling. Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, Saint Justin Maria Russolillo, Venerable Maria Antonia Lalia and Mother Caterina Molinari saw in them a sign from God for their mission. In the same way, you do well, in these days of communal discernment, to keep the faces of the poor ever before you, and, mindful of them, to seek to fan into flame the spirit of gratuitousness and selfless love that marked the beginnings of your presence in the Church. Jesus speaks to us through our brothers and sisters in need (cf. Mt 25:31-45); in every gift we give to them, there is a reflection of God’s love. And let us not forget what will happen at the final Judgement: the Lord will not ask us, “What have you studied? How many degrees did you get? How many works did you undertake...?” No, no. Instead, “Come, come with me”, the Lord will say, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was persecuted and you cared for me”. That is the subject of the final examination on which we shall be judged. This is the source of light for our journey and the effective antidote for overcoming, in ourselves and all around us, the culture of excess. Please, do not discard people, do not choose people based on worldly criteria, on how important they are or how much money they have... We must reject these worldly criteria! Do not discard, but welcome and embrace everyone, love everyone. We must reject that culture stemming from individualism and social breakdown, which sadly prevails in our time (cf. Message for the XXVII World Day of the Sick , 25 November 2018).

Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for all you do! Persevere in your mission with confidence and, please, do not forget to pray for me, but for and not against! This is very important.

And now the Blessing, and after the Blessing please approach one by one, so I have the joy of greeting you personally.

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Here’s a first look inside the new Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple

The public open house for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begins this week, following several years of construction.

Media attended a news conference and tour of the house of the Lord on Monday, August 12, 2024. Those participating in the event included Elder James R. Rasband , an assistant executive director of the Temple Department; Elder Mathias Held , First Counselor in the North America Northeast Area; Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman ; and local leader President Chris Hoke of the Pittsburgh North Stake.

Invited guests will tour the temple through Thursday, August 15. The public open house will be held from Friday, August 16, through Saturday, August 31, excluding Sundays. Tickets are not needed for the tours, which are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

About the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple

The Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple, located in the Northeastern United States, was announced by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2020. The sacred structure is 32,240 square feet in size and sits on 5.8 acres at 2093 Powell Road in Cranberry Township. The ground was broken for the temple on August 21, 2021.

The temple will be dedicated by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in two sessions on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. EDT. The dedication will be broadcast to all meetinghouses within the temple district. … 

You can read more about this new temple and see more interior photos on Church Newsroom .

If you want to read more about upcoming temple construction projects, check out the articles below:

►  Which Latter-day Saint temples are under construction around the world? ►  Here are the latest updates on the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square renovation projects ►  Who writes temple dedicatory prayers? Where can I read my temple’s dedicatory prayer? ►  3 tips to make visiting a temple open house extra special for your kids